Obituary of Gary Scott Wright

Gary Scott Wright, 78, of Coralville, Iowa formerly of Winfield, Kansas, died on October 23, 2023, at home with his family at his side.  Gary died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease.  Gary was born on November 30, 1944, in Chanute, Kansas to William and Ollideen (Stierwalt) Wright.  He grew up in Thayer, Kansas and graduated from Thayer High School in 1962.  After graduation Gary attended Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kansas and majored in business and where he dated and met Karen Kindt in 1965.   Gary joined the Army National Guard from 1966 – 1972 in Wichita Kansas.  He attended bootcamp in Fort Polk, Louisiana.  Gary moved to Wichita Kansas where he began is employment with Boeing. 

Gary and Karen were united in marriage on June 1, 1968, in Winfield, Kansas and recently celebrated 55 years of marriage in 2023.  They then moved to Winfield from 1969- 1970 and resided on his mother-in-law’s farm (Bernice Kindt Parmenter) while she relocated to Thailand with her husband Raymond Parmenter during the Vietnam War.  Upon his in-law’s return Gary and Karen moved to Emporia Kansas where Gary attended Emporia State University and graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in business.    While in Emporia they welcomed their first daughter, Debra Dawn in 1971.  They moved to Springfield, MO where Gary worked for Proctor & Gamble.  Gary again returned to work for Boeing, and moved to Winfield, KS in 1973 where they made their home for the next 32 years.  In 1975 they welcomed their second daughter, Angela Ann.  They were long time members of the Winfield community and Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield. 

Gary had a dynamic and lengthy career as a director at Boeing until his retirement in 1999.  Gary soon returned to the workforce and worked for Sino Swearingen in San Antonio, TX; in 2002 he relocated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to work for McLeodUSA and after its acquisition he was employed with Pearson and later General Dynamics in Coralville, Iowa.  Gary and Karen officially relocated and made Coralville, Iowa their home in 2005.  Gary finally stopped working in 2015 to enjoy his hobbies of watching sports, eating his wife’s homemade chocolate desserts, woodworking, fishing, travel, and spending time with his family and friends.  He is a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, IA.  His faith was important and very much was a believer in his Lord Jesus Christ. 

Preceded in death by parents, William and Ollideen Wright, in-laws Bernice (Kindt) Parmenter (Raymond) & Arthur Kindt.  He is survived by his loving wife, Karen Wright, and two remarkable daughters: Debra Wright of Rochester, MN; Angela Dial (Ryan) of Jefferson, SD; two grandchildren Nichole and Caden Dial; two brothers J. Alan Wright (Linda) of Derby, Kansas, and Charles Wright (Barbara) of Thayer, Kansas, and close friend & brother-in-law Roger Kindt (Peggy) of Denton, TX, a nephew, nieces and numerous extended family.   

The family would like to extend a special thank the Coralville Police Department, friends, neighbors, and the many compassionate healthcare, EMS, & hospital staff who provided great care and assistance through the years to Gary and his family.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iowa City, Iowa.  

Funeral Services will be held at 5:00 pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, Iowa.  Additional services will be held in Winfield, Kansas on Saturday November 4, 2023.  Funeral Services will begin at 10:30 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield, Kansas, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery in Winfield.  A lunch gathering will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church following the services.  Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service are responsible for arrangements.